Tuning & Pull-up Related Question

[jb4674]

So I was playing my JS1000BP late last night because I couldn't sleep and something odd happened....

As I pulled on the bar when I did a pinched harmonic on the G string, I heard a subtle "pop" sound. Although none of the strings broke, the G string went out of tune. When I unlocked the nut, retuned, and relocked, I did another pull up (as far as the trem would go), I heard the pop once again. This time the G, B & High E went out of tune. Remembering the last tuning-related post on a JS guitar, I made sure everything was tightened properly (locking nut, and locking saddles). I also proceeded to lower the string retaining bar (even though I didn't know if there was an "optimal height") on a "by feel" basis (once again, remembering what has been said lately about it).

Of course the tail of the Edge pro is raised a bit now because of the height of the retaining bar but that's not the issue. I know I'm going to have to adjust the springs so the trem is leveled. Then, I stumbled upon this picture:




My first question is, would using the guideline above for setting the string retaining bar like it's done on an RG-Style guitar, such as a Jem or Universe, apply to a JS model?

Secondly, the obvious is already in my head (putting a fresh set of strings and making sure the trem is leveled) but, do you all think this pop will occur once again when the strings are replaced and the guitar is retuned and locked?

I have experienced something similar before in a non-Ibanez guitar and the problem went away once the strings were replaced, action set, etc. But I've never experienced this sort of issue in an Ibanez before...

I do have to point out that the strings felt a bit stiffer when I lowered the string retaining bar (I'm guessing that's because the action got a bit higher), probably due to tension on the springs.

Any thoughts or ideas will be welcomed.....

Thanks!

Jimmy

[timi_h]

i dont know what the pop sound is, the only time i can think of that sort of thing happenning is on my first electric there was loads of friction at the nut and the ping was the string suddenly slipping more tension to the other side of the nut. i presume you have checked that the string is well locked at both ends?

the only real reason for my post was to say that the retaining bar should be at a height where string is in the nut grooves at the front and the back.
that said, it should only affect whether the guitar stays in tune after locking the nut!

[jb4674]

That's the strange thing, the guitar stayed in tune before (without doing a pull-up all the way up) during normal play and while doing subtle dives and pulls.

Jimmy

[howe]

CHECK if the 4 screws of the neck are tightened

[jb4674]

I'll check them when I get home this afternoon. AFAIK, the neck screws are tightened but, because of the change of weather and the place where Earl is hanging at the moment, it might have made the wood expand a bit.

Jimmy

P.S.: En que parte de Lima vives tu? Yo vivia en Lince hace muchos años.

[horstausmforst]

The 'pop' sound in combination with a single string going flat sounds like a loose saddle or a misaligned locking nut pad. But since you've checked everything, I have no clue.
A properly adjusted string retainer bar prevents the strings from going sharp while you're locking down the nut pads - after your strings are locked down and everythings in tune, it doesn't matter anymore if the bar is not adjusted properly. Anything behind the nut doesn't matter; in theory you could cut your headstock off and nothing would happen to your tuning.

[timi_h]

Originally Posted by horstausmforst

The 'pop' sound in combination with a single string going flat sounds like a loose saddle or a misaligned locking nut pad. But since you've checked everything, I have no clue.
A properly adjusted string retainer bar prevents the strings from going sharp while you're locking down the nut pads - after your strings are locked down and everythings in tune, it doesn't matter anymore if the bar is not adjusted properly. Anything behind the nut doesn't matter; in theory you could cut your headstock off and nothing would happen to your tuning.

hence that video where dimebag does that headstock onto a cymbal trick he used to do only one time it snapped the headstock just behind the nut, yet he played the rest of the song perfectly in tune with a swinging headstock!

[540s]

Make sure the lock nut clamps are facing the correct direction! .. The direction they are shown in the diagram you posted.

The bottom side (the side that does the clamping) is not flat & needs to be oriented the right way. If it is incorrect it may cause the problem you describe especially on the g/d clamp more than others. It can be holding the D well but the smaller unwound g could still move a wee bit.

[Axeshredder]

it all depends where the pop is...i had one case similiar that loose neck bolt were an issue of more like a creak than pop...if its torwards the bridge..id check the studs and angled egde contact of bridge..ive had it slip out changing strings the day i got it...really pissed me off

[jb4674]

Alright guys, wonders never cease to amaze me. So when I got home, I pulled Earl from the wall and proceeded to play a couple of chords to see how stable the tuning was. I did a pull up in the same fashion as last night and nothing. All strings seemed to hold up tune well enough. Every now and then I'd have to fine tune a hair but, that's just normal with any trem after heavy abuse (I'm very Eric Johnson in that aspect, I can never be happy when my guitar is tuned, lol). I plugged it into the JSX, did some heavy bends and the tuning is stable. I have noticed the G string is buzzing very slightly when played in the open position but I think it's pretty normal, IMO.

Here are some pictures...












5 more coming up.....

Jimmy

[jb4674]

The action on it is not bad, I just couldn't get the camera at the proper angle to show it. I am going to level the trem next time I change the strings on it.

Jimmy

P.S.: Stay tuned for some exciting news this weekend.....